The Original Robe Size at the Time of the Buddha: Ancient Measures, Modern Monks

In this lively Vinaya conversation, Bhante Joe interviews Venerables Suddhāso, Suñño, and Soma on a topic most Buddhists rarely hear about—but many will find fascinating once they do: the “small robe” option in Theravāda and what the Vinaya actually says about robe dimensions (cīvara). Together they explore why modern robes often became much larger over the centuries, how “standard” robe culture can drift in practice, and what we can reasonably infer about Buddha-era measurements—including the famous “sugata span”—through textual evidence, translation challenges (ancient units vs modern meters), and hints from early Buddhist art and archaeology.

What makes this discussion especially grounded is that it’s not just theory: Ven. Suñño and Ven. Soma actually wear the smaller-size robe, and Bhante Joe often does as well, so they speak from lived experience—how wearing smaller robes changes daily life, travel, durability, and the ease of switching between one-shoulder and two-shoulder wearing. Along the way they unpack real-world details—wind, folding, pins, tags, repairs, and visiting monasteries with different expectations—while keeping the deeper theme in view: simplicity and discipline matter, and so does harmony with the community you’re living or staying with.


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TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 — Robe Sizes Today: Why Do Monks Wear Different Sizes?
00:00:26 — Vinaya Rules & How Robes Gradually Became Larger Over Time
00:01:16 — Theravāda vs Other Traditions: Variations in Upper-Robe Size
00:01:51 — Returning to Early Robe Size: Textual Clues + Archaeology & Ancient Art
00:02:41 — Translating Vinaya Measurements: Ancient Units vs Modern Meters
00:03:23 — “Nine by Six Sugata Spans”: What Does It Mean in Practice?
00:04:06 — The Hand-Span Measure: Estimating Robe Dimensions from the Body
00:05:14 — The “Small Robe” Movement Story: Rules, Rebellion, and Why It Faded
00:07:10 — A Personal Robe Story: Donation, Fit Issues, and “Right Size” Discovery
00:09:53 — Patimokkha in English: Why Measurement Translation Matters
00:11:08 — Cost in the Buddha’s Time & “Cut It Down to Size” (Vinaya Logic)
00:12:35 — Tudong/Dhutaṅga Context: When the Robe Becomes More Functional
00:13:34 — Practical Ease: One-Shoulder vs Two-Shoulder Wearing
00:15:00 — Inspired Connection: “Coming Home” Feeling in a Simpler Robe
00:15:22 — Practical Benefits: Swapping Robes, Warmth, and Re-adjusting Easily
00:17:02 — Frugality & Durability: Why Smaller Robes May Last Longer
00:19:05 — Downsides: Standing Out, Community Harmony, and “Elephant Trunk” Folding
00:20:33 — Wind, Pins, and Tags: Real-World Challenges and Fixes
00:23:14 — Harmonizing While Traveling: Adapting to Local Monastery Standards
00:24:39 — Demonstration: Multiple Vinaya-Based Ways to Wear the Robe
00:26:41 — Closing Reflections: Small Robe as an Option (Not an Injunction)
00:29:20 — Outro: Guests, Lineage, and Monastery Links